Design & Manufacturing Engineer (R&D) – Advanced Manufacturing

About the role

This position is for a Design & Manufacturing Engineer working within the R&D function of a well‑established manufacturing business. You will be involved in the full product lifecycle, from concept through to production, and will support the optimisation of cutting‑edge CNC punching and press‑brake equipment. The role offers a hands‑on environment where engineering, design and continuous improvement intersect.

Key responsibilities

• Produce CAD drawings and CAM files to support manufacturing operations.
• Design, develop and test new and existing products.
• Provide technical solutions and product improvements to production teams.
• Create technical drawings for customers, suppliers and internal use.
• Develop and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs) and related documentation.
• Update and improve parametric CAD models.
• Source materials and components for new product development projects.
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and drive continuous‑improvement initiatives.
• Support commissioning, optimisation and ongoing development of advanced manufacturing equipment.
• Collaborate with operators to implement engineering improvements and lean manufacturing practices.

Required profile

• Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in design engineering, manufacturing engineering or product development.
• Experience with CAD/CAM software such as Solid Edge, Lantek or similar.
• Understanding of product design, stress analysis and core engineering principles.
• Familiarity with Python within a CAD/CAM environment.
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical abilities.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work across multiple functions.

Required skills

• Solid Edge
• Lantek
• Python
• CAD
• CAM
• BOM management
• SOP development
• Lean manufacturing
• CNC punching
• Press‑brake technology

What we offer

• Competitive salary £35,000‑£45,000 per year.
• 4‑day working week for excellent work‑life balance.
• Exposure to advanced CNC punching and press‑brake equipment.
• Ongoing training, mentoring and career development support.
• Company pension scheme and free on‑site parking.